Venoclysis equipment



June 29, 1954 Filed Aug. 8, 1950 G. R. RYAN ET AL VENOCLYSIS EQUIPMENT 5Shee'ts-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. 07 eZP rm e gzy June 29, 1954 G. R. RYAN ETAL2,682,268

VENOCLYSIS EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 8, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 29, 1954G. R. RYAN ETAL vENocLYsIs EQUIPMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug'. 8,1950 Patented June 29, 1954 VENOCLYSIS EQUIPMENT George R. Ryan, DavidW. Abel, and Robert F. McGrew, Waukegan, Ill., assignors to AbbottLaboratories, North Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois ApplicationAugust 8, 1950, Serial No. 178,208

(Cl. 12B- 214) 10 Claims.

This invention relates to venoclysis equipment, and more particularly tomedicinal containers adapted to be connected directly into a venoclysisset up.

Included among the objects and advantages of the present invention is acontainer for powdered or granular substances useful in treating orconditioning parenteral fluids, which container is adapted lto beconnected directly to the tubing oi the venoclysis set up. l

The invention is especially useful in the art of human blood collection,where it may be desirable to treat the withdrawn blood with solidanticoagulants, ion exchange resins, and the like. In this application,a container, according to the invention, is connected into theblood-withdrawal tubing, whereby the blood from the donor passes throughthe container and is, therefore, in intimate contact with the solidcontent of the container, so that the blood is treated prior to entryinto a storage vessel.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the novel portion of equipmentaccording to the invention, in vertical position; l

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure l, with the parts disposedhorizontally;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail section in the` plane of the section ofFigure 1, indicating the modified end seal;

Figure 4 is a section of a glass treatment chamber;

Figure 5 is a section of a modified lter arrangement involving reducedclearance spaces;

Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic fragmentary section as on line I-'I of Figure8, indicating a screen construction;

Figure 8 is aplan view looking down on the parts shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a section of a laboratory unit;

Figure 10 is a section of a modified lter arrangement involving adifferent type of lter; and

Figure 11 is a section of a modified detail of the iilter arrangement ofFigure 10.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration in Figures1 and 2, the chamber proper is defined by a main barrel I0 of resilientflexible plastic of any well-known type, having slight resistance todistortion by flexure. At each end cf the chamber the barrel I0 isclosed by a reticulated screen I2, adapted to hold a granular treatmentmaterial I4 in place.

Suitable end connections are provided, in the nature of nipples I6 atboth ends. The large ends of the nipples are telescoped with the barrelI0, and the smal ends forming end neck portions are provided withlengths of tubing I8 having standard tapered or Luer ttings 20 at theirends. It may be advantageous to have at least one of the end neckportions of nipples I6 or the tubular sections I8, which may function asthe inlet to the chamber continuing in an outwardly extending directionas by means of a short length of resilient tubing, so that blood leavingthe body of the donor gets into the treatment material I4 within amatter of seconds after it leaves its natural environment.

As will be apparent upon reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2, thegranular lling I4 occupies volume between said end lters to such anextent as to maintain the shape of said body during shipping or handlingbut does not quite ll the barrel I0 so that no compressive force on themass of granular material is developed by peripheral tension in thematerial of the barrel. Thus a small clearance space, about 2% of theresin volume as indicated at 22 in Figure 1 and 23 in Figure 2, will bepresent when the device rests on end or on its side. This enables theuser to grasp the device with the fingers and flatten `it to make itsminor diameter only half or two-thirds of its major diameter, and inthis condition to roll it between the fingers so that the granules ofthe -material are thoroughly loosened in case they happen to adhere toeach other. The handling incident to assembly tends to accomplish thisautomatically.

In the unit of Figure 1, the Wall thickness of the nipples I6 where theytelescope over the barrel IU, is substantially constant. The screens I2which are disposed inwardly of the outer extremities of each of the saidend necks of the nipples I6 are Woven of plastic thread such as nylon,and may be asembled with the barrel IIJ expeditiously by juxtaposing theparts 'and making a momentary application of gentle heat to thejuxtaposed edge portions. One screen may be put in place and the fillingpoured in at the other open end, and the other screen laid over the endstill open and then sealed. Then the nipples I6 are similarly placed inposition and sealed, either before or after the tubing I8 is slipped inand sealed to the nipple. Any or all of these joints may also be formedby dipping one or both of the parts in a solvent for the plasticemployed, afterwhich the parts are merely juxtaposed and let stand untilthe solvent is dissipated.

Such a construction as that illustrated in Figure 1 is suitable undermany conditions of service, but for use in the field, or where unusuallystrenuous mechanical manipulations may be encountered, the constructionof Figure 3 may be employed. The nipple 24 oi Figure 3 differs from thenipples I6 in being formed with a little extra material to define ashoulder 26 so that the screen I2 can be clamped between the shoulder 28and the end of the barrel I8, and the heat or solvent develops a muchstronger mechanical bond.

Where conditions of service or available supplies call for the use ofglass instead of plastic for the barrel, a glass tube 28 (Figure 4) maybe equipped with rubber Stoppers 38 at both ends. Each stopper has athin central portion at 32 to facilitate the entrance of a cannula 34.The peripheral cup-shaped wall 36 extends a substantial distance axiallyalong the tube 28, and the screen 3S is o1 stainless steel wire. Underservice conditions where equipment of this type is preferable, theengagement or" the edge of the screen 88 with the tube 28, combined withthe pressure oi the iilling I4 and abutment with the adjacent edges ofthe wall 38, provide a reliable construction in which the screen 38 willstay in place. The iirmness oi attachment between the end plug 38 andthe barrel 28 may be increased by adding the outer lip 481 telescopedover the outer surface oi the barrel.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, the barrel 42 may be the full equivalentof the barrel i8 of Figure l. At one end it has a tapered conicalportion 44, integral with the barrel 42 and ending in a neck 4Greceiving the tubing I8. At the other end a substantially duplicateconical portion 48 is formed in a separate piece and telescoped at 58with the barrel 42. The screens 52 and 54 may be of woven plastic,treated as in Figure l, but

they can be assembled at the small ends of the conical portions 44 and48. Thus the unit of Figure 5 is assembled as follows: first, the screen52 is pushed into place in the small end of the cone 44 and sealed in byheat or solvent. In pushing it into place, a narrow edge portionindicated at 58 may be turned against the cone 44 to secure a betterseal. The nipple 48 is similarly assembled with its screen 54. Thebarrel 42 is positioned with the screen 52 lowermost, and pouredcompleteiy ull orn loose plastic granules I4, with the granules piled upon top of the open end of the lbarrel. The nipple 48 is moved downwardlyinto place over the piled-up granules, and the portion 58 is sealed tothe barrel. This leaves a relatively small clearance space, somewhatless than the interior of the conical portion 48, from the screen 54down to the dotted line 58.

As compared with the assembly of Figure l, the assembly of Figure 5 maybe capable of withstanding a little more mechanical abuse, and it can beso proportioned that a flow of liquid coming into the tubing I8 is quitelikely to scavenge practically all the air in the system as it works itsway through.

Many of the `granular materials used to treat fresh, whole blood areavailable in particles of highly irregular shapes. For such particles,any foraminated barrier, such as a thin sheet of stainless steel orplastic with circular orifices punched in it, functions Very well. It isassumed that the granular material is devoid of fines and that theorifices are smaller than the smallest of the granules. However, incertain instances, it may be desirable to employ substantially sphericalgranules.

Under such circumstances a sheet of material with circular orificeswould be very likely to accumulate a spherical granule held in place asa plug over each circular orifice, and thus interrupt the flow.

The screen of Figures 7' and 8 may be employed for elements I2, 52 and54 of the complete combination and is made up of woven plastic threads88 in a square mesh. The contact points indicated at 82 in Figures 7 and8 may be united, either by simple heat and pressure or by application ofa little solvent, so that, in the finished fabric, there is a weld ormaterial mechanical strength at each intersection 62.

in Figures 7 and 8 there is indicated in dotted lines a sphericalgranule 64 of minimum size and a granule 66 of greater size. It will beapparent that, whereas a barrier with circular apertures might easilydevelop aseal that would materially obstruct ow by letting such granulesmove into exact registry with its circular openings, the noncircularopenings of the screen in Figure 8 prevent any such clogging.

Referring now to Figure 9, where such treatment is practiced regularlywithin a well-equipped hospital or institution, the granular material I4may simply be deposited in the bottom half or two-thirds of a glassbottle 68 provided with a conventional penetrable seal 18. Then thecannula coming from the donor is made long as indicated at 12 and isthrust through the seal and to the bottom of the granular material. Thewithdrawal cannula I4 is only pushed far enough through the seal I0 tomaintain effective communication with the interior of the bottle. Withsuch equipment, the blood coming from the donor goes to the bottom ofthe granular material I4 and percolates up slowly over a large area andaccumulates in a substantial mass in the top of the bottle. This leavesa convenient sample in the bottle at the end of the operation, availablefor laboratory tests.

For instance, when ion exchange is being practised, there is always therisk that the resin may be exhausted before the withdrawal ends. Becausethe material left in the bottle is the very last portion to pass throughtreatment, the sample will be the least adequately treated portion. 1tis only necessary to label the main portion in the customary way toenable the laboratory to check the sample and call for Withdrawal of themain portion for further treatment if the sample indicates the need ofit.

The container illustrated in Figure l0 is similai to the device shown inFigure l. The filter of Figure 10, instead of being a screen I2 as inFigure l, is a perforated end of the tubing 80 which is sealed on theinner end 8l and the perforated section of the tubing is enclosed insidethe container. The perforated section of the tubing is composed of smallcircular holes 82 which are desirably smaller than the smallestfragments of the granular solid contained in the container. This type offilter is satisfactory for milled or broken fragments of the solid beingused.

Figure 11 is a modied thimble lter similar to Figure l0; however, inthis case the iilter section 83 is separate and is sealed on the tubingIB. This type of thimble filter allows a larger filtering area, andhence a greater fluid ow capacity.

As in the manufacture of the device as shown in Figure l, the devices ofFigures 10 and 11 may have the parts sealed together either by heat orsolvent.

Others may readily .adaptthe invention for use under various conditionsof service by employing one or more of the novel features involved,l orequivalents thereof. As at present advised with respect to the apparentscope of our invention, we desi-re to claim the following subjectmatter.

1. A fluid-conditioning chamber for venoclysis equipment comprising, incombination: a chamber' formed of a tubular body with flexible plasticwalls; said chamber having-.a main` portion of relatively large -uniformdiameter terminating in end necks of smaller diameter, said end necks ofsmaller diameter joined to said main portion by tapering conicalportions; one of `said necks and its adjacent tapering portion beingintegral with said main portion; the other neck and its adjacenttapering portion being ar separate piece of material; saidseparatetapering portion having its edge of major diameter telescoped with theadjacent end edge of said main por-tion and integrally welded thereto;tubing continuing said necks in an outwardly extending direction; endfilters disposed inwardly of the outer extremities of each of said necksas retaining means for solid material; said end filters being disposedat the small ends of both tapering portion and comprised of material inthe nature of a woven 'barrier having non-circular openings; a fillingof approximately spherical granules of 'ion exchange resin; said llingoccupying the volume between said end filters to such an extent as tomaintain the shape of said body during shipping or handling; said bodyin its configuration of maximum internal volume, enclosing a volume atleast about two percent greater than the volume of the granular materialwhen loosely packed, whereby rolling or other distortion to loosen thegranular material is facilitated; said filters being a mesh structurehaving approximately square holes not more than about the granulediameter in maximum diagonal dimension.

2. A fluid-conditioning chamber for venoclysis equipment comprising, incombination: a chamber formed of a tubular body with flexible plasticwalls; said chamber having a main portion of relatively large uniformdiameter terminating in end necks of smaller diameter, said end necks ofsmaller diameter joined to said main portion by tapering conicalportions; one of said necks and its adjacent tapering portion beingintegral with said main portion; the other neck and its adjacenttapering portion being a separate ypiece of material; said separatetapering portion having its edge of major diameter telescoped with theadjacent end edge of said main portion and integrally welded thereto;tubing continuing said necks in an outwardly extending direction; endfilters disposed inwardly of the outer extremities of each of said necksas retaining means for solid material; said end filters being disposedat the small ends of both tapering portions and comprised of material inthe nature of a woven barrier having non-circular openings; a filling ofgranular treating material; said filling occupying the volume betweensaid end lters to such an extent as to maintain the shape of said bodyduring shipping or handling; said body, in its conguration of maximuminternal volume, enclosing a volume of at least about two percentgreater than the volurne of the granular material when loosely packed,whereby rolling or other distortion to loosen the granular material isfacilitated.

3. A nuid-conditioning chamber for venoclysis equipment comprising, incombination: a chamber formed of a tubular body with flexible plasticwalls; said chamber having a main portion. of relatively large uniformdiameter, and end necks of smaller diameter joined to said main portionby tapering portions; tubing continuing said necks in both directions;filter retaining means disposed inwardly from both of said end necks inthe nature of a foraminated barrier; and a filling of granular treatingmaterial occupying the volume between said end lters to such an extentas to maintain the shape of said `body during. shipping or handling;said body, in its -coniiguration of maximum internal volume, enclosing avolume at least about two percent greater than the volume of thegranular material when loosely packed, whereby rolling or otherdistortion to loosen the granular material is facilitated.

1. A fluid-conditioning chabmer for venoclysis equipment comprising, incombination: a chamber formed of a tubular body with flexible plasticwalls; filter-like retaining means at the ends of said chamber in thenature of fora-minated barriers; and a lling of granular treatingmaterial occupying the volume between said end filters to such an extentas to maintain the shape of said body during shipping or handling.

5. A fluid-conditioning chamber for venoclysis equipment comprising, incombination: a resilient tubular body with flexible plastic walls; saidbody having a constricted opening end at one extremity thereof; saidopening end debouching through a short neck portion; a resilient cap forthe other extremity of the said body having a constricted end thereinclosing the open end of said body and debouching through a second shortneck portion; a length of resilient tubing secured to each said neckportion extending in an outward direction; a filter means disposedinwardly of the outer extremity of each said neck portion as a retainingmeans and adapted to prevent the exit of solid material; and a fillingof solid material between the filter means for treating fluids andassisting in maintaining the shape of said body during shipping andhandling.

6. A fluid-conditioning chamber for venoclysis equipment comprising, incombination: a chamber comprising a substantially tubular body having acentral portion of uniform substantially circular cross section; thewall of said body being of flexible plastic; a tubular reducing portionat each end of said tubular body having a tapered portion terminating ina small diameter end neck; a transversely positioned lter elementdisposed inwardly of the outer extremities of each said end neck asretaining means for solid material; said filter element being in thenature of a woven screen of plastic threads; a tubular connector portionof uniform small diameter connected to each said end neck and extendingoutwardly therefrom; and a filling of solid material retained in saidbody between the filter element adjacent each said tapered portion fortreating fluids and assisting in maintaining the shape of said bodyduring shipping and handling.

7. A fluid-conditioning chamber assembly for venoclysis equipmentcomprising, in combination: a chamber comprising a tubular body having acentral portion of uniform substantially circular cross section; thewall of said body being flexible plastic; a tubular reducing portion ateach end of said uniform diameter having a tapered portion terminatingin an end neck; a transversely positioned lter element disposed inwardlyof the outer extremities of each said end neck as retaining means forsolid material; said filter element being in the nature of a wovenscreen of plastic threads; connecting tubes extending outwardly fromeach said end neck of the tubular portion; and a filling of solidmaterial retained in said body between the filteradjacent each saidtapered portion for treating uids and assisting in maintaining the shapeof said body during shipping and handling.

8. A fluid conditioning chamber for venoclysis equipment comprising, incombination: a chamber formed of a tubular body with flexible plasticWalls .having a main portion terminating in end necks of smallerdiameter; a tubular member continuing each of said necks in an outwardlyextending direction; a filter element disposed inwardly of the outerextremities of each of said end necks as retaining means for a solidmaterial; said filter element comprising an inward extension of the saidtubular member projecting into the interior of the said chamber, thesaid extension having the inner end thereof closed and lateralperforations therethrough constituting the lter element; and a lling ofsolid material between the lter elements for treating fluids andassisting in maintaining the shape of said body during shipping andhandling.

9. A uid conditioning chamber for venoclysis equipment comprising, incombination: a chamber formed of a tubular body with ilexible plasticwalls having a main portion terminating in end necks of smallerdiameter; a tubular member continuing each of said necks in an outwardlyextending direction; a filter element disposed inwardly of the outerextremities of each of said end necks as retaining means for a solidmaterial; said lter element comprising an inward extension of the saidtubular member, the said extension having a separate length of tubingsecured thereto, said tubing having the inner end thereof closed andlateral perforations therethrough constituting the lter element; and alling of solid material between the ltei` elements for treating fluidsand assisting in maintaining the shape of said body during shipping andhandling.

10. A fluid conditioning chamber for venoclysis equipment comprising, incombination; a chamber formed of a tubular body with flexible plasticwalls having a main portion terminating in end necks of smallerdiameter; a tubular member continuing each of said necks in an outwardlyextending direction; a filter element disposed inwardly of the outerextremities of each of said end necks as retaining means for a solidmaterial; and a filling of solid material between the filter elementsfor treating fluids and assisting in main taining the shape of said bodyduring shipping and handling.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,341,114 Novak Feb. 8, 1944 2,464,496 Gee Mar. 15, 19492,470,943 Page May 24, 1949 2,525,497 Monfried Oct. 10, 1950 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 373,734 Great Britain June 2, 1932

